Bed rail attachment



Jan. 3, 1956 R. L. RAY 2,728,925

- BED RAIL ATTACHMENT Filed on. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

P054 197' A. El)

A'ITD R N EYB Jan. 3, 1956 R. L. RAY

BED RAIL ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OG-t. 26, 1954 INVENTOR.

K 054 34 7 L. P4)

ATTU RN EYE United States atent 2,728,925 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 BED RAILATTACHMENT Robert L. Ray, Lenoir, N. C.

Application October 26, 1954, Serial No. 464,864

Claims. (Cl. 5-318) This invention relates to a bed, and moreparticularly to an accessory for attachment to a bed for supportingvarious articles such as articles of clothing or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide an accessory for attachment toa rail of a bed whereby articles of clothing such as pants, coats, hatsand the like can be conveniently supported adjacent to the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory which can bereadily attached to a rail of a conventional bed without altering theconstruction of the bed and whereby the accessory can be pivoted to anout of the way position When it is not being used and wherein theaccessory can provide a support for uprights which may be used forsupporting garments or clothing adjacent to the bed or else the devicewill support canopies, curtains or the like or an additional bed abovethe main bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bed rail attachmentwhich is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the bed rail attachment shownattached to a bed rail and with the bed rail in section, and showing avertically disposed clothes supporting pole or upright mounted in theattachment.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the attachment of the presentinvention, attached to a bed rail.

Figure. 3 is a bottom plan view of the bed rail attachment.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view showing a pair of the attachments oraccessories being used for supporting a canopy on a bed.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view illustrating a pair of theaccessories for supporting an additional bed above the main'bed.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction ofthe top bed and pole for the assembly of Figure 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a portionof a bed rail of a conventional bed, and the bed rail 10 may include ahorizontal leg or portion and a vertical leg or portion 12, Figure l.The present invention is directed to an attachment or accessory which isindicated generally by the numeral 13, and the attachment 13 is adaptedto be attached to the bed rail 10 for supporting clothing, or any otherarticle.

The attachment comprises a plate 14 which is arranged contiguous to theupper surface of the leg 11, and there is further provided a bracket 15which includes a first portion 16 that is arranged on the opposite sideof the leg 11 from the plate 14. A suitable securing element such as abolt and nut assembly 17 interconnects the plates 14 and first portion16 together.

Extending from the first portion 16 is an inclined portion 18 which isarranged angularly with respect to the portion 16, and the secondportion 18 terminates in a vertically disposed third portion 19. Anarcuate web 20 extends from the lower edge of the third portion 19, andthe web 20 has extending upwardly therefrom a vertically disposed fourthportion 21. The fourth portion 21 has an arcuate web 22 on its upperend, and a vertically disposed fifth portion 23 depends from the web 22,and the portions 21 and 23 are arranged in spaced parallel relation withrespect to each other.

The lower edge of the fifth portion 23 is provided with a curved lip 24,and a lug 25 is arranged contiguous to one side of the leg 12 of therail 10. The upper end of the lug 25 is shaped to provide a downturnedfinger 26 for engagement with the lip 24.

The accessory of the present invention further includes a base 27 whichis arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to the fourthportion 21 of the bracket 15. Connected to the base 27 and carriedthereby is a body member 28 which includes in intermediate offsetportion 29, and extending from each end of the offset portion 29 areinclined or outwardly divergent sections 30 which each terminate in aflat section 31. A straight section 32 extends from the flat section 31,and each of the sections 32 terminates in an apertured car 33. Asuitable securing element has a bolt and nut assembly 34 extendedthrough each apertured ear 33 and into engagement with the base 27 forconnecting the body member 28 to the base 27. A bolt and nut assembly 35provides a swivel pin, and the bolt 35 extends through the offsetsection 29, through the base 27, through the fourth portion 21, and

through the lug 25. Due to the provision of the swivel pin 35, the base27 and body member 23 can be pivoted from the vertical position ofFigure l to a horizontal position in alignment with the bed rail 19 whenthe device is not being used whereby there will be no protrudingmembers.

Extending outwardly from the flat sections 31 of the body member 28 arering members 36 which are connected to the flat section 31 by bolt andnut assemblies 37. These ring members 36 are adapted to receive thereinan upright or post 38 which may have hooks 39 thereon for receiving coathangers, hats or the like. For helping to maintain the upright 33 in itsproper position, an arm 40 depends from the lowermost ring member 36,and a pointed hook 41 is arranged on the lower end of the arm 40 forengaging the bottom of the upright 38.

A means is provided for retaining the base 27 and its associated partsin their vertical position until these parts are to be shifted to ahorizontal position, and this means comprises clamps or crowns 42 whichare arranged on each end of the bracket 15. Each crown 42 includes anarcuate portion 43 which has flat portions 44 and 45 on its ends, and asecuring element such as a bolt and nut assembly 46 interconnects theflat portions 45 and 44 to the ends of the bracket 15. The fiat portions45 are adapted to frictionally engage the projecting ends of the base 27so as to prevent accidental movement thereof.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings there is shown a slightly modifiedarrangement wherein a plurality of the attachments 13 may be used forsupporting uprights 48, and a pair of the uprights 4-8 may provide asupport for a horizontally disposed curtain rod 49. Drapes or canopies50 may be supported by the curtain rod 49, and the canopies 50 can beused for enhancing the attractiveness of the bed 47 and the drapes orcanopies 50 may also be used for insuring greater privacy for theoccupant of the bed 47.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings there is shown a stillfurther modified arrangement wherein a pair of the accessories 13 may bemounted on each side of the bed 47. Uprights 51 may extend upwardly fromeach of the devices 13, and the uprights or posts 51 may have angleirons 52 secured thereto and the angle irons 52 may be additionallysupported by braces 53, Figure 8. The angle irons 52 may form part of anupper or auxiliary bed 54 whereby a double deck bed can be providedwhich includes the main bed 1b and the upper bed 54.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided anaccessory or attachment which can be connected to a rail 1d of a bedwhereby various articles can be supported conveniently thereon. A boltand nut assembly 55 may connect the fourth portion 21 of the bracket tothe third portion 19, Figures 1 and 2. In use the plate 14 and bracket15 may be connected to the bed 10, as shown in the drawings, and thenthe upright 33 can be extended through the ring members 36 with thepointed hook 41 engaging the lower end of the upright 38. Thus, articlesof clothing or the like can be readily and conveniently suspended orsupported on one or more of the hook members 39. When the device is notbeing used, the bolt and nut assembly can be loosened and the base 27and body member 28 can be pivoted in unison about the swivel pin 35 sothat the parts move from the vertical position shown in the drawings toa horizontal position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the bedrail 10 whereby there will be no interference with movement into and outof the bed. The fiat portions 45 of the clamps 42 frictionally engagethe ends of the base 27 so as to maintain the parts immobile in theirvertical position. Instead of supporting articles of clothes on theuprights 38, posts 48 may be supported or projected through the rings 36whereby a curtain rod 49 having drapes or curtains 5t) thereon can besupported as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 7 a plurality of theaccessories are shown and each is indicated by the numeral 13, and theaccessories provide supports for posts 51 which may have the framework52 of an upper bed 54 connected thereto.

With the accessory of the present invention connected to the bed rail,clothing, hats, and the like will be close by so that the user will savewalking to pick up these articles, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8 anupper bed can be supported above the lower bed as for example when thereis not much space in the home or other locality. Other articles that canbe supported include food trays, curtains or shades whereby suchcurtains will give the user of the bed more privacy. The device can alsobe used in hospitals, rest homes and the like and the device will foldeither to the right or the left about the swivel pin 35. Due to theprovision of the body member 278 having the outwardly spaced flatsections 31, the upright 38 will be able to clear the curved portions 43of the clamps 42 when the device is pivoted. Washers can be usedwherever necessary on the various bolts.

I claim:

1. An accessory for attachment to an L-shaped rail of a bed, said railincluding a vertically disposed and a horizontally disposed portion, aplate arranged contiguous to the upper surface of the horizontal portionof said rail, a bracket including a first portion arranged below saidplate on the opposite side of the horizontal portion of said bed railfrom said plate, a second portion arranged angularly with respect tosaid first portion, a vertically disposed third portion extendingdownwardly from said second portion, a first arcuate rib on the lowerend of said third portion, a vertically disposed fourth portionextending upwardly from said web and arranged in spaced parallelrelation with respect to said third portion, a second arcuate webextending from the upper end of said fourth portion, a verticallydisposed fifth portion depending from said last named web, a curved lipon the lower end of said fifth portion, a lug arranged contiguous to oneside of the vertical portion of said rail, a base arranged in spacedparallel relation with respect to said fourth portion, a body memberincluding an intermediate offset section arranged contiguous to saidbase, a swivel pin extending through said offset section, base, fourthportion and lug, outwardly projecting inclined sections extendingoutwardly from said offset section, fiat sections extending from saidinclined sections and arranged in spaced parallel relation with respectto said base, securing elements extending outwardly from said flatsections and having rings thereon, inclined straight sections extendingfrom said flat sections and terminating in apertured ears, and securingelements connecting said ears to said base.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, and further including clampshaving flat portions connected to the upper and lower ends of saidbracket, an arcuate section extending from the flat portion of eachclamp, and a flat section extending from each of said arcuate sectionsfor frictionally engaging said base.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said rings have avertically disposed upright extending therethrough, a verticallydisposed arm dependings from said body member, and a pointed hook onsaid arm for engagement with the lower end of said upright.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said body member isadapted to pivot about said swivel pin.

5. An accessory for attachment to an L-shaped rail of a bed, said railincluding a vertically disposed and a horizontally disposed portion, aplate arranged contiguous to the upper surface of the horizontal portionof said rail, a bracket including a first portion arranged below saidplate on the opposite side of the horizontal portion of said bed railfrom said plate, a second portion arranged angularly with respect tosaid first portion, a third portion extending downwardly from saidsecond portion, a first rib on said third portion, a fourth portionetxending upwardly from said web, a second arcuate web extending fromthe upper end of said fourth portion, a fifth portion depending fromsaid last named web, a lip on the lower end of said fifth portion, a lugarranged contiguous to one side of the vertical portion of said rail, abase arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to said fourthportion, a body member including an intermediate offset section arrangedcontiguous to said base, a swivel pin extending through said offsetsection, base, fourth portion and lug, outwardly projecting inclinedsections extending outwardly from said offset sections, flat sectionsextending from said inclined sections, securing elements extendingoutwardly from said fiat sections and having rings thereon, inclinedstraight sections extending from said flat sections and terminating inapertured ears, and securing elements connecting said ears to said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,840,170 Neils Ian. 5, 1932 1,981,254 Smith Nov. 20, 1934 2,483,920McLean et al Oct. 4, 1949

